After more than two weeks of protests that have led to blocked roads, torched cars, looting and chaos in some of Paris' wealthiest neighborhoods, France's prime minister suspended Tuesday a fuel-tax hike that triggered the demonstrations.

Edouard Philippe temporarily called off plans to increase a diesel tax. The move, announced live on TV, is aimed at easing tensions after more than 100 people were injured and 400 arrested in Paris over the weekend amid "Yellow Jacket" protests.

At least three people have died since the unrest started on Nov. 17 and the Arc de Triomphe, one of France's most revered landmarks, was damaged last weekend

Philippe said the suspension of a new tax on fuel would last for six months and that planned increases to gas and electricity costs would also be temporary halted.

The civil unrest is some of the most serious in France since 1968, when massive demonstrations and wide-scale general strikes brought the nation's economy to a halt.

French demonstrators have been wearing the yellow vests as a symbol of motorists' discontent with the government's tax policy. But the "Yellow Jacket" movement has expanded far beyond fuel to include demands that French President Emmanuel Macron alter his approach to housing, health, education and the public purse.

The movement has attracted supporters from across the political spectrum, although it has resonated particularly with France's working class.

Since winning France's presidency last year, Macron has won praise for seeking to reform France's labor laws but he has faced opposition from protesters who feel that the changes favor the wealthy. He recently slashed a longstanding wealth tax.

"Yellow Jacket" supporters claim that Macron's government does not care about ordinary people or France's growing social inequalities. Macron, 40, regarded as politically centrist, was elected on a pro-business platform.

"It’s a first step, but we will not settle for a crumb," said Benjamin Cauchy, one of the leaders of the protests, according to comments carried by the Associated Press.

Opinion polls show that as the protests take place around 26% of French people hold a favorable opinion of Macron. His main rival, Marine Le Pen of the far-right National Rally – formerly National Front – has grown more popular amid the unrest.

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Police officers throw tear gas to protesters during the 13th consecutive Saturday demonstration called by the 'Yellow Vests' (Gilets Jaunes) movement in Paris, on Feb. 9, 2019. The 'Yellow Vest' movement in France originally started as a protest about planned fuel hikes but has morphed into a mass protest against French President's policies and top-down style of governing. Zakaria Abdelkafi, AFP/Getty Images

Firemen are at work to extinguish a fire on the sideline of a yellow vests (Gilets jaunes) rally, on Feb. 9, 2019 in Bordeaux, during the 13th consecutive Saturday of demonstrations. Mehdi Fedouach, AFP/Getty Images

A protester bears a target on his eye as he takes part in an anti-government demonstration called by the "yellow vests" (gilets jaunes) movement in Mulhouse, eastern France, on Feb. 9, 2019. Sebastien Bozon, AFP/Getty Images

A protester throws back a tear gas canister during an anti-government demonstration called by the "Yellow Vest" (Gilets Jaunes) movement on Feb. 2, 2019 in Toulouse. The 'Yellow Vest' movement in France originally started as a protest about planned fuel hikes but has morphed into a mass protest against President's policies and top-down style of governing. Pascal Pavani, AFP/Getty Images

Protestors are teargassed by authorities while taking part in an anti-government demonstration called by the Yellow Vests "Gilets Jaunes" movement in front of the sous-prefecture of Morlaix, western France on Feb. 2, 2019. Fred Tanneau, AFP/Getty Images

Demonstrators set a fire on the Place de la Republique after a yellow vest protest, Saturday, Feb. 2, 2019 in Paris. France's yellow vest protesters were back on the streets Saturday to keep pressure on French President Emmanuel Macron's government and denounce the large number of people injured in demonstrations they say is the result of police violence. Francois Mori, AP

Factions of protestors fight against each others during a demonstration called by the 'Yellow Vests' ('Gilets Jaunes') movement in Nantes, western France, on Feb. 2, 2019. Loic Venance, AFP/Getty Images

A man wearing a vintage army helmet takes part in a march on Feb. 2, 2019 in Paris, called to pacifically protest against police violence toward participants of the last three months demonstrations in France, as Yellow Vest protesters take to the streets for the 12th consecutive Saturday. Lucas Barioulet, AFP/Getty Images

Protesters in a wheelchair take part in a march on Feb. 2, 2019 in Paris, called to pacifically protest against police violence toward participants of the last three months demonstrations in France, as Yellow Vest protesters take to the streets for the 12th consecutive Saturday. Lucas Barioulet, AFP/Getty Images

People take part in a march on Feb. 2, 2019 in Paris, called to pacifically protest against police violence toward participants of the last three months demonstrations in France and for the ban of the use by riot police of both 40-millimeter rubber defensive bullet launcher LBD and GLI-F4 stun grenades, as Yellow Vest protesters take to the streets for the 12th consecutive Saturday. Zakaria Abdelkafi, AFP/Getty Images

A protester with a fake eye injury, takes part in a march on Feb. 2, 2019 in Paris, called to pacifically protest against police violence toward participants of the last three months demonstrations in France, as 'Yellow Vest' protesters take to the streets for the 12th consecutive Saturday. Zakaria Abdelkafi, AFP/Getty Images

A protester walks past a vandalized shop window during clashes with police at Place de la Republique on Feb. 2, 2019 in Paris, on the sidelines of a march called to pacifically protest against police violence toward participants of the last three months demonstrations in France, as yellow vest protesters take to the streets for the 12th consecutive Saturday. Zakaria Abdelkafi, AFP/Getty Images

Protestors hold a red flare as they take in an anti-government demonstration called by the 'Yellow vests' movement in Valence, southeastern France, on Feb. 2, 2019. Jean-Philippe Ksiazek, AFP/Getty Images

A plain-clothes policeman uses pepper-spray on a "Yellow Vest" protester on Feb. 2, 2019 in Nancy, eastern France, during a march called to pacifically protests against police violence toward participants of the last three months demonstrations in France, as "Yellow Vest" protesters take to the streets for the 12th consecutive Saturday. Jean-Christophe Verhaegen, AFP/Getty Images

Protesters take part in an anti-government demonstration called by the "Yellow Vest" movement and wave Brittany's regional flags in front of the sous-prefecture of Morlaix, Western France on Feb. 2, 2019. Fred Tanneau, AFP/Getty Images

French riot police take away a burning scooter as clashes erupted with 'Gilets Jaunes' (Yellow Vests) protesters who wanted to stay all night on the square during the 'Act XI' demonstration (the 11th consecutive national protest on a Saturday) in Paris, France on Jan. 26, 2019. The so-called 'gilets jaunes' is a grassroots protest movement with supporters from a wide span of the political spectrum, that originally started with protest across the nation in late 2018 against high fuel prices. The movement in the meantime also protests the French government's tax reforms, the increasing costs of living and some even call for the resignation of French President Emmanuel Macron. Etienne Laurent, EPA-EFE

A protester from the 'Gilets Jaunes' (Yellow Vests) movement holds a poster reading 'Yellow Vests World Revolution against the Finance' as clashes erupt next to the Place de la Bastille during the 'Act XI' demonstration (the 11th consecutive national protest on a Saturday) in Paris, France on Jan. 26, 2019. Christophe Petit Tesson, EPA-EFE

Riot police officers clash amid smoke with protesters during an anti-government demonstration called by the Yellow Vests "Gilets Jaunes" movement on Jan. 26, 2019. 'Yellow vest' anti-government protesters have taken to the streets in France for the 11th consecutive Saturday on January 26, despite recent divisions in their ranks, and with a displayed tenacity facing an executive which is regaining popularity ten days after the opening of the "great national debate", the French president's bid to prove he will take on board the fierce criticism of "yellow vest" protesters who have upended his reform agenda. Alain Jocard, AFP/Getty Images

Jerome Rodrigues, one of the leaders of the yellow vest movement, lies on the street after getting wounded in the eye during clashes with riot police in Paris during an anti-government demonstration called by the Yellow Vests "Gilets Jaunes" movement on Jan. 26, 2019. Zakaria Abdelkafi, AFP/Getty Images

A protester throws back a tear gas canister during an anti-government demonstration called by the Yellow Vests "Gilets Jaunes" movement in Nantes, western France, on Jan. 26, 2019. Sebastien Salom Gomis, AFP/Getty Images

Protesters protect themselves from water cannon during an anti-government demonstration called by the Yellow Vests "Gilets Jaunes" movement on Jan. 26, 2019 in Bordeaux. Mehdi Fedouach, AFP/Getty Images

Protesters try to cross bridges over the Seine river during a 'Yellow Vests' protest in Paris, France on Jan. 5, 2019. The so-called 'gilets jaunes' (yellow vests) is a grassroots protest movement with supporters from a wide span of the political spectrum, that originally started with protest across the nation in late 2018 against high fuel prices. The movement in the meantime also protests the French government's tax reforms, the increasing costs of living and some even call for the resignation of French president Emmanuel Macron. Ian Langsdon, EPA-EFE

Yellow vest "Gilets Jaunes" protestors hold a banner reading "class struggle is wearing yellow" and stage a vigil during a rally by anti-government protestors on Jan. 5, 2019 in front of the Law Court of Le Mans, northwestern France. Over the past six weeks, "yellow vest" demonstrators, so-called after the high-visibility jackets they wear, have repeatedly clashed with police in Paris and other big cities, plunging Macron's presidency into crisis. The "yellow vest" movement began in rural France over fuel taxes and quickly ballooned into a wider revolt against the 41-year-old president's pro-business policies and perceived arrogance by low-paid workers and pensioners. Jean-Francois Monier, AFP/Getty Images

"Yellow Vest" (Gilets jaunes) anti-government protesters are engulfed by a cloud of teargas during a rally in Nantes on Jan. 5, 2019, part of a nationwide day of demonstrations. Loic Venance, AFP/Getty Images

A "Yellow Vest" (Gilets jaunes) anti-government protester is attended by others after being injured during a rally in Nantes on Jan. 5, 2019, part of a nationwide day of demonstrations. Loic Venance, AFP/Getty Images

Bikers wearing yellow vests, as a symbol of French driver's and citizen's, demonstrate on the highway of Montpellier, Southern France on Dec. 29,2018. The so-called 'gilets jaunes' (yellow vests) are a protest movement, which reportedly has no political affiliation, is protesting across the nation over high fuel prices. Guillaume Horcajuelo, EPA-EFE

Protestors stand near burning garbage bins during a demonstration called by the yellow vests (gilets jaunes) movement to protest against the rising costs of living they blame on high taxes, on Dec. 29, 2018 in Toulouse, southern France. Pascal Pavani, AFP/Getty Images

A riot police officer reacts after clashes with protesters during a demonstration called by the yellow vests (gilets jaunes) movement, to protest against the rising costs of living they blame on high taxes, in Paris, on Dec. 29, 2018. Zakaria Abdelkafi, AFP/Getty Images

A protestor wearing a "yellow vest" tries to kick a French riot policeman during a demonstration against the rising costs of living, in downtown Nantes, western France, on Dec. 29, 2018. Jean-Francois Monier, AFP/Getty Images

A woman dressed as the Lady Justice and wearing a Phrygian cap walks down the Champs Elysee avenue near the Arc de Triomphe, in Paris, on Dec. 29, 2018 during a demonstration called by the yellow vests (gilets jaunes) movement, to protest against the rising costs of living they blame on high taxes. Sameer Al-Doumy, AFP/Getty Images

A protestor dances in front of French riot police during a demonstration called by the yellow vests (gilets jaunes) movement, to protest against the rising costs of living they blame on high taxes, in downtown Nantes, western France, on Dec. 29, 2018. Jean-Francois Monier, AFP/Getty Images

A demonstrator wearing her yellow vest waves a national flag during a protest in front of the Arc de Triomphe of the Porte d'Aix, in Marseille, southern France, Saturday, Dec. 29, 2018. The yellow vest movement held several peaceful demonstrations in cities and towns around France, including about 1,500 people who marched through Marseille. Claude Paris, AP

Demonstrators of the French "yellow vests" throws tear gas canisters back as police disperse the end of a protest in central Paris on Dec. 22, 2018 as the movement turned out in small numbers for a sixth Saturday of nationwide demonstrations. In Paris, the scene of violent clashes in previous demonstrations, traffic was normal in the morning and most shops, except for some luxury boutiques, were open for business in the busy weekend before Christmas. Zakaria Abdelkafi, AFP/Getty Images

A protester tries to go through a French riot police's line, as clashes erupt between the French riot police and demonstrators during a 'Yellow Vests' protest near La Madeleine in Paris, France on Dec. 22, 2018. Etienne Laurent, EPA-EFE

A man makes his way through tear gas as demonstrators protest on the Champs-Elysees avenue, Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018 in Paris. Paris police say 85 people have been detained in Paris on the fifth straight weekend of protests by the "yellow vests" movement, where thousands of people converged in the French capital. Kamil Zihnioglu, AP

Protesters let off flares near Les Halles during the 'yellow vests' demonstration on Dec. 15, 2018 in Paris, France. The protesters gathered in Paris for a 5th weekend despite President Emmanuel Macron's recent attempts at policy concessions, such as a rise in the minimum wage and cancellation of new fuel taxes. But the 'Yellow Vest' movement, which has attracted malcontents from across France's political spectrum, has shown little sign of slowing down. Jeff J Mitchell, Getty Images

Protesters wearing yellow vests (gilets jaunes) block the ring road near La Roseraie district of Toulouse, on Dec. 15, 2018 as they demonstrate against rising costs of living they blame on high taxes. Eric Cabanis, AFP/Getty Images

Protesters wearing a yellow vest (gilets jaunes) wave the French national flag during a demonstration against rising costs of living blamed on high taxes in Paris, on Dec. 15, 2018. Abdul Abeissa, AFP/Getty Images

Protesters wearing yellow vests (gilets jaunes) take part in a demonstration on the Champs Elysees Avenue by the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, on Dec. 15, 2018, to protest against rising costs of living they blame on high taxes. Zakaria Abdelkafi, AFP/Getty Images

Protesters wearing yellow vests (gilets jaunes) do a human pyramide as they demonstrate against rising costs of living they blame on high taxes in Paris, on Dec. 15, 2018. Christophe Archambault, AFP/Getty Images

A protester dressed as Santa and wearing a yellow vest (gilet jaune) take part in a demonstration against rising costs of living blamed on high taxes on the Champs-Elysees in Paris, on Dec. 15, 2018. Zakaria Abdelkafi, AFP/Getty Images

A protester wearing a yellow vest (gilet jaune) holds a placard reading "citizens' referendum initiative" as they protest against rising costs of living they blame on high taxes in Nantes, on Dec. 15, 2018. Sebastien Salom-Gomis, AFP/Getty Images

Protesters wearing yellow vests (gilets jaunes) face off French riot police during a demonstration against rising costs of living they blame on high taxes in Bordeaux, western France,, on Dec. 15, 2018. Georges Gobet, AFP/Getty Images

A demonstrator wearing his yellow vest holds a bouquet of roses in front of a riot police officer during a protest Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018 in Paris. Paris police deployed in large numbers Saturday for the fifth straight weekend of demonstrations by the "yellow vest" protesters, with authorities repeating calls for calm after protests on previous weekends turned violent. Kamil Zihnioglu, AP

A riot police officer throws tear gas during a protest of "yellow vests" (gilets jaunes) against rising costs of living on Dec. 8, 2018 in Paris. Paris was on high alert on December 8 with major security measures in place ahead of fresh "yellow vest" protests which authorities fear could turn violent for a second weekend in a row. Thomas Samson, AFP/Getty Images

Protestors kneel in a street near the Champs Elysees avenue in Paris on Dec. 8, 2018 during a protest of "yellow vests" (gilets jaunes) against rising costs of living they blame on high taxes. Lucas Barioulet, AFP/Getty Images

A "Yellow vest" (gilet jaune) demonstrator faces a riot police near the Champs Elysees avenue in Paris on Dec. 8, 2018 during a mobilisation against rising costs of living they blame on high taxes. Zakaria Abdelkafi, AFP/Getty Images

Demonstrators drop to the ground on the Champs-Elysees avenue during a protest Saturday, Dec. 8, 2018 in Paris. Crowds of yellow-vested protesters angry at President Emmanuel Macron and France's high taxes tried to converge on the presidential palace Saturday, some scuffling with police firing tear gas, amid exceptional security measures aimed at preventing a repeat of last week's rioting. Rafael Yaghobzadeh, AP

Mounted Police officers on their horses take their positions during clashes with yellow-vested protesters, in Paris, France, Saturday, Dec. 8, 2018. Crowds of protesters angry at President Emmanuel Macron and France's high taxes tried to converge on the presidential palace Saturday, some scuffling with police firing tear gas, amid exceptional security measures aimed at preventing a repeat of last week's rioting. Thibault Camus, AP

A demonstrator wearing a yellow vest is covered in blood after getting in injured during a protest in Paris, Saturday, Dec. 8, 2018. Prized Paris monuments and normally bustling shopping meccas locked down and tens of thousands of police took position around France. Macron's government warned that Saturday's "yellow vest" protests in Paris will be hijacked by "radicalized and rebellious" crowds and become the most dangerous yet after three weeks of demonstrations. Thibault Camus, AP

Firefighters try to extinguished a car set on fire by demonstrators during clashes with riot police, in Paris, France, Saturday, Dec. 8, 2018. Crowds of protesters angry at President Emmanuel Macron and France's high taxes tried to converge on the presidential palace Saturday, some scuffling with police firing tear gas, amid exceptional security measures aimed at preventing a repeat of last week's rioting. Thibault Camus, AP

Yellow Vests protesters walk down the Champs Elysees avenue to Place de la Concorde during a demonstration in Paris, France on Dec.8, 2018. Police in Paris is preparing for another weekend of protests of the so-called 'gilets jaunes' (yellow vests) protest movement. Recent demonstrations of the movement, which reportedly has no political affiliation, had turned violent and caused authorities to close some landmark sites in Paris this weekend. Seen in background is the landmark Arc de Triomphe. Ian Langsdon, EPA-EFE

A demonstrator throws a stone to police forces past a burning barricade on the Champs-Elysees avenue during a demonstration against the rising of the fuel taxes, Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018 in Paris. French police fired tear gas and water cannons to disperse demonstrators in Paris Saturday, as thousands gathered in the capital and staged road blockades across the nation to vent anger against rising fuel taxes and Emmanuel Macron's presidency. Michel Euler, AP

Demonstrators, called the yellow jackets, set up a makeshift barricade on the famed Champs-Elysees avenue as they protest against the rising of the fuel taxes, in Paris, France, Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018. Kamil Zihnioglu, AP

Demonstrators, called the yellow jackets, use a construction barrier to repel a police water canon, during clashes on the famed Champs-Elysees avenue in Paris, France, as they protest against the rising of the fuel taxes, Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018. Kamil Zihnioglu, AP

Yellow Vests (Gilets jaunes) shout slogans and wave placards as they participate in a protest rally against high fuel prices in Rochefort, south-western France on Nov. 24, 2018, part of a movement which has mushroomed into a widespread protest against stagnant spending power under the French President. The demonstrations were sparked by an increase in diesel tax, justified as an anti-pollution levy by the government but have morphed into a broad opposition front to centrist Macron. Xavier Leoty, AFP/Getty Images

Policemen face yellow vests (Gilet jaune) protestors during clashes as part of a demonstration in Bordeaux, western France, on Nov. 24, 2018 to protest against rising oil prices and living costs. Georges Gobet, AFP/Getty Images

Yellow Vests march behind a banner reading " Yellow vests are angry" as they participate in a protest rally against high fuel prices in Rochefort, south-western France on Nov. 24, 2018, part of a movement which has mushroomed into a widespread protest against stagnant spending power under the French President. Xavier Leoty, AFP/Getty Images

Protestors stand in front of a fire of furnitures during a protest of Yellow vests against rising oil prices and living costs near the Arc of Triomphe on the Champs Elysees in Paris, on Nov. 24, 2018. Bertrand Guay, AFP/Getty Images

Protesters wearing yellow vests, as a symbol of French driver's and citizen's protest against higher fuel prices, faces the police forces during clashes on the Champs Elysee as part of a nationwide protest in Paris, France on Nov. 24, 2018. Christophe Petit Tesson, EPA-EFE

Police forces stop people wearing yellow vests, as a symbol of French driver's and citizen's protest against higher fuel prices, during a demonstration on the Champs Elysee as part of a nationwide protest in Paris, France on Nov. 24, 2018. The so-called 'gilets jaunes' (yellow vests) protest movement, which has reportedly no political affiliation, is protesting over fuel prices. Christophe Petit Tesson, EPA-EFE

A demonstrator shows his yellow jacket while another one throws a gas canister during a protest against the rising of the fuel taxes, on the Champs-Elysees avenue, Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018 in Paris. Christophe Ena, AP

A demonstrator waves the French flag onto a burning barricade on the Champs-Elysees avenue during a demonstration against the rising of the fuel taxes, Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018 in Paris. Michel Euler, AP

A demonstrator throws debris at a burning barricade while protesting with others against the rising of the fuel taxes on the famed Champs Elysees avenue, in Paris, France, Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018. Kamil Zihnioglu, AP